By the end of August, according to USDA, the U.S. Drought Monitor indicated that 63% of the nation's hay acreage was in an area experiencing drought, while approximately 72% of the nation's cattle acreage was in an area experiencing drought. At the time, USDA had designated 1,892 unduplicated counties in 38 states as disaster areas; 1,820 of those declarations due to drought.

The monthly USDA Crop Production report and World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) – scheduled for release Wednesday – will provide more clarity about the extent of damage to this year’s crops.

Last month, WASDE estimates went from predicting record corn production of 14.8 billion bu. – 2.4 billion bu. more than the previous year – in May, to August estimates of 10.8 billion bu. – 2.2 billion bu. lower than the previous month’s estimate. Estimated yield of 123.4 bu./acre would be the least since 1995-96. Corn production would be the lightest in nine years.

WASDEcorn price estimates went from $4.20-$5.00/bu. in May to a season average estimate of $7.50-$8.90/bu. in August.

For the week ending Sept. 9, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service:

Corn – 93% is in the dent stage, 13% more than last year and 16% more than the five-year average. 58% is mature, 33% more than last year and 31% more than the five-year average.15% is harvested, 10% more than last year and the five-year average. 52% is in Poor or Very Poor condition, compared to 20% a year ago. 22% is in Good or Excellent condition, compared to53% last year.

Soybeans – 36% are dropping leaves, 24% more than last year and 16% ahead of the average. 4% is harvested, 3% more than last year and 2% ahead of the average. 32%is in Good or Excellent condition, compared to 56% a year ago. 36% is rated as Poor or Very Poor, compared to 17% last year.

Sorghum – 93% is headed, 2% more than last year and 3% ahead of average. 69% is coloring, 10% more than last year but on par with the five-year average. 37% is mature, 8% more than last year and 7% more than average. 26% is harvested, 4% more than last year and 3% more than average. 24% is in Good or Excellent condition, compared to 25% last year. 52% is in Poor or Very Poor condition, compared to 45% last year.

Winter wheat – 4% is planted, 1% less than last year and 2% less than the average.

Barley – 95% is harvested, which is 16% more than last year and 13% ahead of normal.

Pasture – 18% of the nation’s pasture and range is rated as Good or Excellent, 14% less than at the same time last year. 58% is rated Poor or Very Poor, 16% more than a year ago. States reporting more than 60% of pasture as Poor or Very Poor were: Arkansas (68%); California (70%); Colorado (87%); Indiana (62%); Iowa (77%); Kansas (89%); Missouri (92%); Montana (71%); Nebraska (95%); Nevada (77%); New Mexico (86%); Ohio (66%); Oklahoma (78%); South Dakota (76%); Wisconsin (60%); and Wyoming (85%).